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The Ensemble

Star
Star

The Ensemble is a highly competitive audition-only group, developed in 2015 by Stacey Flaster and Liz Fauntleroy, mostly because they felt that middle-school aged kids 6th-8th grade needed a place to perform musical theater productions at a higher level. Using the experience that Stacey and Liz have gained from their professional backgrounds in musical theater around Chicago and beyond, they now share their collective knowledge and skills with the kids to create spectacular productions with top-notch production values. These high-level shows include great sound, live orchestras, fully realized and designed costumes, gorgeous sets and props and superb lighting. Rehearsals are weekly, Thursdays from 6 to 9 PM and Sundays from 12 to 5. In addition to rehearsing for the show, Stacey and Liz also invite between two to four per year to work with the kids on different areas of the arts, such as dance, improv, on-camera acting, stage combat and many other areas. Included in the ensemble fee, the students will attend two professional musicals. Our Ensemble performs in two full productions, one in December and one in May.  

Grades: 6th - 8th

Rehearsals:   

Thursdays from 6pm to 9pm 

Sundays from 12pm to 5pm

Highwood Rec Center

Highwood

Performances:

The Skokie Theatre,

December and May

 

Cost: (Upon Acceptance Into The Ensemble)

  • A $800 fee is due by JUNE 9th, 2025 to hold your spot. This fee is separate from tuition and is non-refundable.

  • Semester 1 Tuition : $2200 is due AUGUST 15, 2025

  • Semester 2 Tuition : $2200 is due DECEMBER 1, 2025

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  • Opening pizza party at HW REC August 28, 2025

  • Ensemble Tuition is non-refundable. 

  • Special circumstances will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

  • No switching shows, you must be available for all the performances and all of the tech rehearsals. There are no exceptions, except if you have your OWN bar/bat mitzvah (or a sibling) during the performances. If this is the case, let us know asap. Also realize that if you are  planning to miss performances, this will affect the casting process.

AUDITIONS FOR 2025/2026 ENSEMBLE WILL BE: 

 

May 31 2025

2 - 5 pm

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June 1, 2025

2 - 5 pm

AUDITIONS

2025/26

ENSEMBLE

SIGNUP

Basic Information:

GROUP INFORMATION:​

  • Ensemble rehearsals start on 9-7-2025 and run through May. 

  • No classes on 10/2, 11/27, 11/30 due to religious holidays

  • 2025 performance dates are: Dec. 11th-14th

  • We have a live accompanist at all of our rehearsals.

  • We hire professional choreographers to choreograph our shows.

  • A professional guest artist is hired to work with the students each semester to workshop a specific aspect of performance.

  • Included in your tuition are two t-shirts, one for each production

  • Everybody must re-audition each year. The purpose: to re-engage and show the student's growth and commitment.  

  • Shows are announced after our group has been chosen. The December show is announced in August, the May show is announced in December.

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AUDITION INFOMATION:​

  • There will be a live accompanist for our auditions

  • Please prepare two 32 bar cuts (a verse and a chorus) of two contrasting pieces (an uptempo and a ballad/or a contemporary and a classic musical theatre. )

  • Bring sheet music in your key, properly mark it, and put it in a binder. No full songs. Do not sing A cappella.

  • Bring a picture and resume to your audition with your contact info, age and grade in school.  The picture does not have to be professionally done. 

  • Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your audition.

  • You will be contacted by email if you are selected.  

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